In the early 1990’s I went through an extended time of both trial and blessing. I will leave the details of that season to another day.

During that season, I was graciously led to the book pictured above: Thomas Watson’s “The Art of Divine Contentment.” It proved to be a treasure of inestimable value.

So it is in the spirit of Paul’s opening to 2 Cor. which reads in part: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer” (ESV) – That I commend this blessed volume to you afresh today.

Watson’s volume is slim. Do not let its diminutive size fool you into thinking Watson is doling out trite platitudes. It is rich in Biblical consolation. It will point you back to Christ in all of His beauties and provisions. It is a study in applying Biblical truth to re-orient the heart and mind away from self, away from the passing and deceptive comforts of this life and world, away from self-pity and to the reality in which the true Christian lives – even in the hardest and most confusing of circumstances. It is strong meat and strong medicine for the weary and wounded soul. And it will not coddle you.

When I married by beloved Sky, we gave a copy of this little book to everyone in our wedding party. And though I have often recommended it to others, it had been a long time since I had cracked it back open myself – until this week. In going back over its pages my heart was wondrously refreshed and fed. Even though I am not going through any particular trials at the moment – I simply could not just revel in it alone. I needed to recommend it to you all once again. And in a more leisurely reading, its truths so sweetly ministered to me afresh that I nearly read it all again in one sitting. Though in honesty – I took two days this time.

If you – my dear brother or sister are in need of something to brace your own soul in a time of heaviness, sorrow or pain, I cannot encourage you enough to secure a copy today – and devour it.

Take your time in it. Take his short divisions one at a time and meditate upon them. Read slowly. Drink it in. Savor it. Let your eyes be lifted up to Heaven and Heaven’s Christ. Gain the glorious perspective that belongs as a heritage to the sons and daughters of Christ Jesus our Lord by faith. For it is a rich, a glorious, and inestimable inheritance which is ours in Jesus.

If you know of someone enduring a time of trial or tribulation, gift them a copy. And perhaps read it and discuss it with them together. Pour the oil and wine of God’s gracious consolations into their wounds. And bind them up in prayer.

The book stands on its own and is easily accessible. It is less than 200 pages. But if the older English is in any way an impediment, seek out Jason Roth’s version done in modern English. Both the original and Roth’s are available at Amazon, and either for around $10.00.

Refresh your soul in the wisdom, charm and depth of solid Puritan writing, designed to do the highest good for your inner man.

I cannot recommend it highly enough.